Resolution in support of public election campaign financing

October 17, 2012

WHEREAS public financing of election campaigns has shown proven benefits such as higher voter participation, increased competition among candidates with less reliance on corporate donations and the influence of wealthy donors, greater diversity among donors and improved relationships between candidates and constituents; and

WHEREAS a coalition of good government organizations, labor unions, civic associations and other groups has been advocating for public election financing and comprehensive campaign finance reform in New York State similar to New York City’s model system for small donor public financing; and

WHEREAS that coalition includes the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University, Citizens Union, Common Cause New York, the League of Women Voters and New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG), all of which filed a friend-of-the-court brief in a legal challenge to New York City’s successful system; and

WHEREAS other organizations, including Citizens Action of New York, union locals 32BJ-SEIU and UFCW Local 1500, Americans for Campaign Reform and the Center for Working Families, have mounted a similar effort supporting such public campaign financing called Fair Elections for New York; and

WHEREAS New York City’s public financing system has enjoyed robust participation by serious and credible candidates by promoting voter choice through increased diversity and competition in city elections and significantly expanded the number of state residents who contribute to campaigns as small donors; therefore be it

RESOLVED that the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) support coalition calls for New York State to adopt a public campaign finance system modeled on that of New York City’s system; and be it further

RESOLVED that the UFT officially join the coalitions to help support their efforts and encourage union members to offer their support as well.